Prithvi Shaw has been omitted from Mumbai’s squad for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy. This decision came just two days after Mumbai lifted the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) title in a dominant fashion. With mounting concerns over Shaw’s recent form, fitness levels, and off-field issues, this move puts his career trajectory under scrutiny.
The Announcement
On Tuesday, Mumbai selectors officially revealed the squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which begins on December 21. The announcement came shortly after Mumbai’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy success, where they defeated Madhya Pradesh in Bengaluru. Prithvi Shaw’s absence raised eyebrows across cricketing circles, particularly because of his prior accomplishments in List A cricket.
Mumbai’s Vijay Hazare Trophy Squad
Mumbai has fielded a full-strength, 17-member squad led by Shreyas Iyer, with the following notable players: Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Shardul Thakur, Ayush Mhatre. The return of Ayush Mhatre, who missed the SMAT due to the Under-19 Asia Cup, adds depth to Mumbai’s top order.
Ajinkya Rahane, who played a pivotal role in Mumbai’s SMAT title win, has requested a break. Rahane, serving as Mumbai’s anchor, smashed 469 runs in eight innings at an impressive strike rate of 164.56. His consistency, which included five half-centuries, proved invaluable as an opener for the side.
Shaw’s Recent Performance: A Cause for Concern
Shaw’s exclusion isn’t entirely unexpected. His performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy left much to be desired. He managed just 197 runs in nine innings, with a highest score of 49 coming in the quarter-final against Vidarbha. This lack of consistency has left selectors questioning Shaw’s current form.
Prithvi Shaw’s Reaction to His Exclusion
Shaw did not stay silent. He took to Instagram, sharing a cryptic yet emotional story, where he highlighted his List A stats.
“Tell me god, what more do I have to see…if 65 innings, 3399 runs at an average of 55.7 with a strike rate of 126, I’m not good enough…” This post conveyed his frustration, yet a resilient promise: “I will keep my faith…cause I will come back for sure. Om Sai Ram.”
Fitness and Work Ethic Concerns
Criticism surrounding Shaw’s fitness standards and “work ethic” remains a recurring issue. Shreyas Iyer’s post-SMAT comments shed further light. Iyer’s message, though blunt, reflects selectors’ frustrations with Shaw.
Iyer said, “He needs to get his work ethics right, and if he does that, the sky is the limit for him. We can’t babysit anyone, right? Every professional who is playing at this level, they need to know what they should be doing. And he has also done it in the past; it’s not that he hasn’t. He has to focus, he has to sit back, [and] put a thinking cap on, and then figure out himself. He will get the answer by himself.”
In October, Shaw was dropped from the Ranji Trophy squad due to reported disciplinary issues. The trend continued as, for the first time, Shaw went unsold in the IPL auction. Despite criticism, cricket stalwarts Greg Chappell and Kevin Pietersen have extended their support to Shaw, emphasizing his raw potential and aggressive batting ability.
Hardik Pandya, who had a terrific Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, will miss the first few rounds of the Vijay Hazare Trophy as part of workload management.
Mumbai appears to be turning a fresh page, integrating younger players like Ayush Mhatre to prepare for the future. Shaw’s exclusion sends a clear message: performance and discipline are non-negotiable.
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